Marylebone in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Sir Laurence Gomme

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 28, 2026

1. Sir Laurence Gomme Marker

Inscription.
Sir Laurence Gomme
1853-1916
Clerk to the London County Council
Folklorist and Historian
lived here
1895-1909

Erected 2006 by English Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 51° 31.368′ N, 0° 9.711′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Marylebone. It is on Dorset Square, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 Dorset Square, City of Westminster, England NW1 6QG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Grossmith (within shouting distance of this marker); Dodie Smith (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Marylebone Cricket Club (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bentley Motor Cars (about 150 meters away); George Nissel (about 210 meters away); José de San Martín (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); 221B Baker Street (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Special Operations Executive - Norwegian Section (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . . Laurence Gomme (Wikipedia). Except:

Sir George Laurence Gomme, FSA (18 December 1853 – 23 February 1916) was a public servant and antiquarian. Two of his main interests were folklore and old buildings. He helped found both the Victoria County History and the Folklore Society, and persuaded the London County Council to administer the blue plaque commemorative scheme.

Both Gomme and his wife were founder members of the Folklore Society in 1878; and Gomme later became its honorary secretary, director and president.[4] Gomme published Primitive Folk Moots (1880), and many books and articles concerning folklore, including Folklore Relics of Early Village Life (1883), Ethnology in
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 28, 2026

2. Sir Laurence Gomme Marker - wide view
Folklore(1892) and Folklore as a Historical Science (1908). His work is now generally regarded as too dependent on a survivals theory, which tried to trace folk customs back to earlier stages of civilisation; but it retains value as a collection.

His historical writings show a particular interest in the history of London, in books such as The Governance of London (1907) and The Making of London (1912). He was also one of the founders of the Victoria County History project, and had a passion for old buildings. He used his council position to protect threatened buildings and to advance the Survey of London, to which he also contributed historical material. Another overlap of his historical and professional interests was the blue plaque commemorative scheme, which he persuaded the council to begin administering in 1901: the 800th blue plaque to be awarded would later mark his own London residence in 24 Dorset Square.

(Submitted on March 2, 2026.)

Additional keywords. blue plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.